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Abstract

We previously demonstrated a nested pair of single mode (pump/THz) waveguides which produced guided far-infrared (1.3 THz) light with a record power-normalized conversion efficiency of 1.3x10−7 W−1 by way of continuous phase matched difference frequency generation (DFG) [Opt. Express 16, 13296 (2008)]. Using the same numerical simulation tools we used to design and model this LiNbO3-based device, we show that a lattice-matched AlGaAs heterostructure, with its significantly lower absorption losses, can produce guided far-infrared light (3.5 THz) with a power-normalized conversion efficiency of 1.3 x 10−5 W−1 – some 100 times larger than achieved with the LiNbO3 structure.

Diagram of the AlGaAs nested waveguide structure. The pump rib waveguide is defined by the AlGaAs layers and dimensions s, t, and w. The THz waveguide is defined by the pump layers and the rib dimensions S, T, and W.